Dear Lloyd
It is only in recent months that I have been taking CRASH magazine, having
transferred my affections because a certain magazine gave me a naff cassette
‘free’ and upped the price of the mag by 50%. I do like folk to be honest,
having been born 72 years ago and not yesterday. Anyway, they couldn’t spell
either.

I feel I must congratulate you upon your answers to letters, showing
courtesy and understanding, and making for interesting reading.

Being of great age, lacking a right arm and possessing a duff right eye, I
spend a great deal of time playing computer games — mostly simulations — and
where possible, with a joystick, as you will understand. I am not as bright as
I might have once been, and am fortunate in having a 12-year-old pal who puts
me right on most things. He possesses a 128 +2 Speccy, whereas I own a 48K
Speccy, and my tastes in games do not always correspond with his.

I bought a copy of Gunship and could only load up to 3/4 of tape
one. I found Microprose extremely helpful (as indeed, when problems have
arisen, have all games tape manufacturers), However, after returning two copies
with no joy, my friend loaded it on his 128K machine.

In spite of your reader Trevor Parrish’s objections on political grounds, it
is a very true-to-life simulation, and most enjoyable to play.

PHM Pegasus is my most recent acquisition, and will not accept my
Kempston Interface. It loads, but on pressing space to start the game, it
crashes with regular monotony. So with one hand I sally forth to meet the foe
on keyboard only. I don’t think it could be my Speccy and in any case, ’er
indoors is getting nasty about postage after said Gunship fiasco.

Please tell me, what is this 16-bit business? I am confused. What relation
is it to 128K? And how many bits is my 48K Speccy? Can one still buy a 48K
speccy, or am I stupid as well as confused (you try to be perfect at 72). And
why do folk rabbit on about Gunship being anti-this and that; so is
Pegasus. But further back was, I think, Mission Over Moscow,
and I don’t remember Kruschev banging his shoe over that one.

As you stated, it’s only a game, thank God. I was born during the Great War
and fought in the last one, and playing such games does less treading on toes
than a lot of TV Programmes shown these days. Surprising isn’t it: I have no
complaints. I like CRASH and your reviews, both past and present. It’s
refreshing to note that no two folk think alike.Don Garment

In answer to your queries, Mr Garment, the term ‘16-bit’ refers
to the architecture of the computer’s internal processor. The Spectrum’s Z80
Central Processing Unit (CPU) is an eight-bit chip, while the two most popular
16-bit machines, the Commodore Amiga and the Atari ST, both contain a Motorola
68000 CPU. As the ZX Spectrum’s Z80 CPU handles information in ‘bytes’ made up
of eight ‘bits’, so the 68000 CPU can handle bytes made up of 16 bits. These
powerful chips also run at a faster rate than most eight-bit chips; basically
they can handle a lot more information in a much shorter time.

There really isn’t enough room here to go into detail. Take a look at the
16-bit special in next month’s CRASH, which should help clarify things a
little.

It’s interesting to find that the majority of people who moan about the
militaristic aspects of computer games have never seen active service
themselves. Anyway, you can buy yourself — and your 12-year-old friend — some
new software with this month’s £ 30 software voucher.LM

Dear Lloyd
I had to write to express my concern on the current state of your brilliant
magazine...

It all started with the December 1987 issue. Then came the Xmas Special —
that was bad. Come Feb. March, April and now May. What is going on? Things
seem to be going downhill — I’m talking of content!

Let me make this simpler: I’ll compare the Current (May 88) issue to the
June 1987 issue. May 88: 100 pages. June 1987: 132 pages. Around about the
start of the ‘Summer slump’ (OK the fact that this issue was one of the most
controversial ever doesn’t count! (Barbarian cover — Ed)) June 1987
has some great features.

A nice Roger Kean (RIP) editorial; Minson (RIP) is doing great; wonderful
review section; THE FORUM of course; Mike Singleton spilling his beans(!) —
good interview; PLAYING TIPS — as good as ever! ADVENTURE SUPPLEMENT: is small
beautiful? The low down on old software companies — Good! TECH NICHE and TECH
TIPS — Great; TAMARA KNIGHT, plus the new Video reviews. To sum it up this
issue is really good!

Now May 1988! Steve Jarratt attempts to excite us all with the prospect of
another cassette(!), but it’s just these damn reviews! Something has seriously
gone wrong: nobody in their right mind would give Tetris anything
under 90% — cue my buddy Ewan Dalton! (FORUM Issue 52 — Ed) Ewan and I have
both agreed that losing ‘Skippy’ Dunn was BAD NEWS.

What other amazing Features do we have, The FORUM, PLAYING TIPS, The Candy
CHALLENGE (?), Coin-Ops, TECHNICHE, FANZINE FILE, Compilations. And the
Adventure Section is terrible with the departure of Derek Brewster. This Issue
is, well, Crap. Not one decent feature.

Oh yes, I can see you in your reply, ‘A bad issue — our off day’. Maybe you
should take a close look at February, March and April, not to mention the Xmas
Special: 196 pages my REAR END! More like 96 excluding the CRASH History which
was FREE!!

I’m not denying that you lot still aren’t the best, but give yourselves a
shake. I just don’t know what is happening; it may be the loss of good staff, I
don’t know — but you lot at Newsfield should! You need new features and better
reviews. We don’t want to know what’s on the inlay card (that’s one of the
problems) we can go to Boots, John Menzies and soon, and read it ourselves.

I will keep on reading CRASH as it’s THE BEST, but get out of this current
phase! No wonder the ratings have dropped. You’re all dressed up, everything
going for you, but no effort.

I know this has been a long letter but I hope you print it, and in full, so
that other readers can express their feelings.
(Hi, to Ewan, Mum, Dad, Mrs K, Mrs H, Mandy, Lynn and Elaine)Malcolm Power

After considering your views I have to say that many of your
arguments are simply based on what you consider to be good or bad. You dismiss
the May ’88 issue as having ‘not one decent feature’; even though many other
people may have derived pleasure from the new coin-op feature, or the feature
on compilations, or the challenge, and so on. You also dismiss the playing tips
special (nearly three times its normal size) with one deft move of your
pen.

I agree that the reviews and the ADVENTURE TRAIL have been lacking of late,
but both sections have improved tremendously over the last few months and are
constantly being re-assessed and tweaked (watch out for an ADVENTURE TRAIL
special next month).

We at CRASH have to try and cater for all manner of tastes; sometimes we
succeed, sometimes we don’t. One thing’s for sure: it’s NEVER through lack of
effort.LM

Dear Lloyd
The last couple of months have see quite a few letters bemoaning the lack of
coverage for computers on television and in the press. It isn’t that difficult
to see why...

When home computers first exploded onto the market back at the turn of the
decade, we were in the middle of that phase when larger computers became the
scourge of many a man. Computers were taking people’s jobs. You could hardly
expect Joe Public to enthuse over his son’s pleas for a Spectrum when he has
just lost his job to a plastic box-cum-TV screen.

Computers instantly picked up an image that had dogged arcades in the years
before (and still does now). Dark, evil places where only those adept at using
a flick-knife survive. Places full of introverted Space Invader
addicts.

It is surprising how that view remains apparent today; my mum still thinks
that playing computer games leads you astray and turns you into a greasy,
spotty teenager with glasses and an addiction to Space Invaders. She
doesn’t realise how much computers have progressed. She ought to be a
Powerhouse programmer (less of that — Ed).

At the moment if you tell anyone that you enjoy playing computer games they
run a mile. If the industry is to get the coverage it deserves two things must
happen: finally the software houses have to follow the TV appearance lead of
Codemasters and Virgin and radio lead of Ocean, and get themselves noticed.
Charity releases always seem to hit a good note.

Secondly, we, the games playing public, have to convince the old-fashioned
among us that it is perfectly possible to enjoy computer games without turning
into a freak. Games such as Zynaps, Driller and the
Bard’s Tale are all harmless, enjoyable fun. So let’s make one thing
perfectly clear: COMPUTER S DON’T BYTE (sorry).Ian Kerr

I think it should be sometime before the majority of video
arcades shake off their rather sordid image, but the bad press engendered by
the earlier days of home computing does seem to have abated somewhat.

Before totally acquitting our silicon playmates, though, check out MONITOR this issue, and be prepared for some nasty
shocks...LM

Dear Lloyd
I own a Spectrum +2, and like Robert Hanway (of issue 52) I find it frustrating
that so few games are enhanced by the additional memory and improved sound of
the 128K machine. Then, whilst playing Super Sprint, I had an idea for
a new feature in CRASH. Perhaps all those super hackers who so regularly
produce infinite lives etc, could produce pokes to be used by 128K users. For
example on Super Sprint a loud engine noise would add to the
atmosphere and enjoyment of the game. I would have thought that this would not
be too difficult for those master hackers.

So perhaps someone out of the many CRASH readers could help me and the rest
of the 128K owners, by producing some short code to be printed in CRASH to
somehow add to existing 48K games.

Would this be too difficult? I would be interested to read your reply.Matthew Edwards

My knowledge of the intricacies of machine code is akin to my
familiarity with popular Norwegian restaurants. So, how about it hackers: can
it be done?LM

Dear Lloyd
After flicking through the pages of your May issue trying to find a freaky
feature, I came across a play by mail ad by KJC Games featuring It’s A
Crime. I was shocked: the fact that this is a fantasy rather than reality
does not make it potentially any less dangerous. The most dangerous aspect of
this game is that to be successful, it is necessary to take drugs continuously
and the description of this rule makes it appear not only acceptable but even a
desirable condition to aspire to. I admit that in this case the situation was
brought on by ourselves.

I have checked the issue of CRASH currently on the shelves in which the ad
appeared, and in every issue that I own, a full page complete with explicit
picture makes it perfectly clear what is on offer: ‘gang warfare’ by a
‘Drug-crazed gang’. In this issue there is also an article on fantasy games
featuring a picture of the It’s A Crime rule booklet. Although the
booklet does suggest that the game isn’t suitable for young children this is
not mentioned in either the advert or the article. Thus, as there is no age
limitation and parental consent is not required, there is nothing to stop any
child applying for this ‘free’ offer and receiving this offensive material
without parents’ knowledge. I would like to see it made illegal for advertising
promotions like these to offer such rubbish to children and would welcome any
advice or help you may be able to give. Also my comments also go to the
Vixen ad. Do you know how many impressionable youths read your
magazine? The illegal picture should offend every one of them and I think the
picture should be banned and replaced by screen shots instead. Well, I am
utterly peeved and would be pleased if any action were made.Cho Hon Lee

Well, Cho Hon, I spoke to Kevin Cropper, head of KJC games and
he assures me that the nefarious activities portrayed in It’s A Crime
are carried out in a humorous, comic-book style. He also suggested that the
cost of successfully participating in the game (up to around £3 every ten
days) is probably prohibitive to the age group in question. However, your
comments have been noted and in our ever-present desire to please, KJC have
agreed to sport a ‘Not Suitable For Children’ legend on their It’s A
Crime ad (I don’t know where the fantasy games feature appears, though —
we didn’t have one!).

I hardly think the Vixen picture rates as being ‘illegal’; but the lack of
respect with which women are portrayed in these ads is disconcerting.
Highstreet retailers Boots have already made a stand against such sexism,
refusing to stock the game with the previous packaging. The latest copies of
Vixen to be found in Boots feature only a head-and-shoulders of Miss
Russell on the front, and no free poster!

Next month, the pros and cons of censorship are discussed at length in the
first episode of a new feature called SPLIT
SCREEN — watch out for it.LM

Dear Lloyd
I’m writing to you to say don’t you think with all the old computer games (and
some new) being reduced to £1.99 within a couple of years of being
released that people will wait until this has happened before they buy them.
When you have bought a game for £10 you feel pretty sore when it’s reduced
to couple of quid a year later.

I also feel Elite is a major offender in this way. They bring out all their
games together on a few cassettes within a few months of them being released. I
don’t think it’s right that people should spend £50 on five or six tapes
and find that:

1 The games are all on one tape for a tenner or less and you’ve just wasted
up to about £30-£50. or:

2 The game you bought is on a tape with loads of other games you wanted but
you didn’t know it was available.

I think CRASH is just as good as it’s ever been if not better, keep up the
good work.Thomas Grinyer

Having been similarly ‘burned’ by the purchase of full-priced
games only to find them a month or two later on a compilation tape or with a
severely deflated price-tag, I wholeheartedly agree with your comments. I can
only suggest that patience is a very valuable virtue: if you are content to
wait six months to a year before buying the ‘latest’ game, then you should be
alright. Otherwise you pays your money and you takes your choice...LM

Thus ends another round of point and counter-point. The quality
of your communications is of an increasingly high standard these days. Keep it
up — and keep the letters flooding in.